Scratch-off scheme lands one in jail, cops still looking for his partner

Forget lucky numbers; these guys allegedly went straight for inside help. Investigators say a Florida man and a convenience store clerk tried to turn $15,000 worth of stolen scratch-offs into a jackpot.

But instead of getting a big payday, one of them got arrested, and the other became a wanted man. Was the risk worth the $8,000 they managed to cash in?

No charge for lottery tickets

According to investigators with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Jorge Acevedo Perez, 47, of Big Coppitt Key, conspired with 20-year-old Dave Dackens Pluviose, a former employee of Circle K. The duo allegedly worked together to steal $15,000 worth of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets from the Circle K located on Overseas Highway in the Lower Keys.

Authorities said Pluviose could be seen multiple times on security footage handing Acevedo Perez large amounts of lottery tickets. The footage then shows Pluviose never charging him for those tickets.

One arrest has been made so far

Officials said they arrested Acevedo Perez last month, and he was charged with grand theft and conspiracy.

Meanwhile, detectives are still looking for Pluviose. They said there is security footage of Pluviose and Acevedo Perez cashing in the lottery tickets at a supermarket. Officials said they turned in about $8,000 in winnings from the $15,000 worth of tickets they stole.

Police are asking anyone with information about Pluviose to contact detectives at 305-292-7060 or Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

Other Florida Lottery players are doing it the right way

While Acevedo Perez and Pluviose tried to steal their way to a big win, some other players in Florida went about things the right way and ended up with some big wins. Details on those wins, which included a top-prize $5 million win, are here:

• $5 million top prize win on THE PERFECT GIFT scratch-off game: Gerry Collins, of Port Charlotte, claimed the top prize recently at the lottery's Fort Myers District Office. Collins chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $2.99 million. She purchased the winning ticket at Publix, located at 24051 Peachland Boulevard in Port Charlotte. For selling the winning ticket, the Publix store will receive a $10,000 bonus check from the state lottery.
• $1 million top prize win from the 50X THE CASH scratch-off game: Derrell Ray, 19, of Belle Glade, recently claimed that top prize at the lottery's West Palm Beach District Office. He also chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment, which worked out to be $640,000. He purchased the winning ticket from Chevron, located at 11711 Okeechobee Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach. For selling the winning ticket, the Chevron store will receive a $2,000 bonus check from the state lottery.
• $1 million winner from the $1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR scratch-off game: Leo Raleigh, 59, of Archer, recently claimed the $1 million prize at the lottery's Gainesville District Office. He also chose the one-time, lump-sum payment option of $640,000. He bought the winning ticket from Kwik Stop Chevron, located at 3450 SW Williston Road in Gainesville. For selling the winning ticket, the Kwik Stop Chevron will receive a $2,000 bonus check from the state lottery.

Enjoy playing the Florida Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.